Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (53 page)

“No, you would have to stay overnight, and that it too much of an imposition.  You are not Mr. Robinson’s relative.  It is very good of you to consider it, but you know that I would have insisted on coming with you.” Darcy shook his head then hugged her tighter and rested his cheek on her hair.  Elizabeth closed her eyes and thought over the reason behind his grip.  “I understand why you would not want me; you do not want me to see you thinking darkly.”

“You know me far too well.”  He sighed and kissed her brow. 

“Poor Caroline.”  She looked up at him.  “I was not fond of her, but I certainly do not rejoice in her loss.”

“No.”

“Will?”  His eyes were very bright and he blinked rapidly.  Elizabeth ran her fingers through his hair.  “We are fine.”

“Yes.  We will just do our best to comfort our friends if they come.”  Looking away he spotted a letter from Fitzwilliam on top of the pile and snatching it, tore it open and began reading to give himself a distraction.  “Richard.”  He shook his head and sank down onto the edge of his desk.

“What is it?”  Elizabeth sat beside him and again his arm came around her waist as he held her tightly. 

“He put in for a spot at the new military academy ages ago and he has been offered the move, and now he does not know that it is worth it.”

“Moving the family from London?”

“Yes.”  He put the letter down and kissed her, then pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts, he continued.  “Richard was injured in the war, as you know.  And he has managed well with the pain and general disability, and has managed to continue in his capacity training new men for the cavalry.  But you see, it is very hard work to be on horseback all of the time, and it is taking its toll.  And he worries for his wife and child if a day comes when he can no longer haul himself up on the horse to be that teacher.”  He picked up the letter and shook his head.  “If he were just a gentleman with a small estate to manage, he would be fine, a little hitch in his step, but not the incessant pounding that he takes now, it would only be worse at Sandhurst.”

“But he has no estate.”  Elizabeth nodded as she understood.  “And he worries how he will feed his family should he have to retire so young on half-pay?”

“I do not think he needs to worry about feeding them, and their home is theirs without mortgage, they have investments, I have advised on that, and of course, Uncle Henry provides a generous allowance, but that ends with his death unless Layton continues it.”

“He would not cut him off!”

“No, but it is just another example of being dependent on another and it grates on a man as independent as Richard.”  Darcy closed his eyes as he thought.  “He wants to be sure that Annabel has an excellent dowry, and if there are other children, that they begin their lives with something.”

“Can he afford a small estate?”

“Well, Bingley has 100,000 pounds, and that is enough for something like Netherfield.”

“Richard does not need something that large, does he?  Perhaps something like Longbourn?  Would that be half the sum?  You have other properties . . .”

“I am not selling them, love.  And I have lease holders already in place.  Besides, we are to have fourteen more children. ” He smiled when she pinched him.  “Perhaps he could lease a small estate.  Most people lease their homes in London, Bingley is leasing Netherfield . . .”

“What is he asking you to do?”

“Well, he is not really asking, but he is hoping that I can be brilliant and help.”  He grinned.  “I love it when Richard admits that I am, indeed, his superior.”

Elizabeth groaned.  “You really do think well of yourself!”

Darcy swung her around to stand between his legs and looped his arms around her waist.  “You do realize that if I find a solution to his dilemma he will take all credit?”  He smiled in her eyes and then looked down at the pearl resting over her barely contained bosom. 

“Because he set you on the case?”

“Precisely.”  Darcy nuzzled his nose in her cleavage and drank in her scent while his hands caressed her hips.  “Lizzy . . .”

“I thought that you were going to meet someone.”  She laughed as her skirt was raised and his face lifted to reveal a very determined look in his eye.  She held his cheeks and they began exchanging hungry kisses.  Elizabeth pulled away and his mouth followed after her.  “Lock the door.”

Immediately he let go and strode across the room to turn the key.  “You are reading my mind.” 

THE THREE MEN SAT IN SILENCE.  Robinson stared at his desk, and played with a small empty brown bottle that he had snatched up as soon as he sat down.  Bingley licked his lips and Hurst gave him a look, then went to pour out three glasses of whiskey.  He placed them on the desk and taking his seat, cleared his throat.  “I am glad that you decided to bury her on the estate.”

“Yes, well, it is safer here.”  Robinson blinked hard and fingered the bottle.  “The body snatchers will leave her alone on private land.”

“That is horrible.”  Bingley whispered and picked up his glass.  The clock ticked and they all stared at the little bottle.  “So it was the infection after the miscarriage . . .”

“Yes.”  Robinson spoke quickly and let go of the bottle.  “She survived the miscarriage with no problem, it seemed, she was actually rallying well the afternoon that it was over and we had an opportunity to talk briefly before the fever set in.  After that she was delirious and slipped away.”

“What did she say?”  Bingley asked.  “Did she know she was going to die?”

“No, as I said she thought the worst was over.”  He squeezed his eyes shut.  “She . . . we . . .” Robinson lifted his hand to his face and wiped his eyes.  “We  talked about what had happened and the future.  We talked about things that we had done and said to each other.”  He worked hard to maintain his composure and finally reached forward to grab his glass and gulp his drink.  “I tried to understand why . . .”

“Why?”  Hurst sat forward and studied him.

“Why she was unhappy.”  Robinson looked up and met his gaze.  “She is gone, it is over, there is nothing more to discuss.”

“As you wish.”

Bingley looked between the two without understanding.  “Will you stay on here?”

“NO.”  Robinson said emphatically.  “I never wish to come here again.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will sell it.”  He took another drink.  “This was a mistake to purchase; it was me reaching for more than I needed.  “Me, a landed gentleman?”  He laughed harshly.  “Lead a fox hunt; entertain guests for months on end?  I was a fool.  I am a tradesman, a very successful one, and that is the world where I belong.”

“What of Wallace, though?  You can give this to him one day.  He might like being the gentleman.  He will be going to the best schools.  If you think about it; he is on the path that Bingley took.”  Hurst smiled at him.  “And here you are leasing an estate, where Wallace could have one waiting for him.”

“I will not raise my son to think that being a landed gentleman is the way to happiness.”  Robinson growled.  “No offense, Bingley, but your parents did you no favours; I saw what it did to Caroline.”

“No, I agree with that to some degree, but it is a worthy dream, it just depends on how it is presented.”  Bingley shrugged.

“Take it then.”  Robinson raised his hand and waved it around the room.  “Take Swansdon, I’ll sell it to you at cost, no profit, take it off my hands and it will be worth it.  It cost me 40,000 pounds.  That would leave you with plenty to invest, perhaps in oranges.”  He smiled slightly.

“Are you serious?”  Bingley’s mouth dropped open.

“Dead serious.  I never want to be here again.”

“I . . . I . . .” Bingley closed his eyes.  “No.”

“No?”  Hurst stared at him.  “Why?”

“I must go to Netherfield.  I have to.”  He looked at his brother.  “Do you understand?”

“Yes, I do.”  Hurst smiled and laughed.  “I do.”

“I do not, but that is neither here nor there.”  Robinson shrugged.   “I will put it on the market if you would prefer wasting your money on a lease . . .”

“Why the hurry, Robinson?  You own this place, you were already in the habit of leasing it out, let the steward work it, collect the income and if someone comes along to take it, you can lease or sell, it is up to you.  Nothing good ever comes of a snap decision.” 

Robinson stared at the little bottle and nodded.  “Very well then, I will hang on to it for now.  But tomorrow, I am leaving here for the last time.”

“OH HOW WONDERFUL!”  Mary laughed as she read Jane’s letter. 

“Let me guess.”  De Bourgh poured out some sherry and walking across the room with their two glasses, sat down beside her.  “Lucas finally started building that cabin?”

“No, but I do think they will wish it existed.”  She accepted her little glass and sipped before setting it down.  Looking back up, she found her husband right there and ready to kiss her.  “Peter!”

“I just want to taste the wine on your tongue.”  He leaned in and fulfilled his desire, then pulling her against his side; he comfortably rested his feet up on the table before the sofa.

“You are going to ruin that.”

“I will buy a new one.”  He kissed her cheek.  “So what is the news?”

“A baby in January.”

He started chuckling.  “Where is a pen, I must write to Fitzwilliam!”

“You men and your bets!” 

“They are harmless, dear.  I wonder when Elizabeth will be with child again, Darcy is determined.”  Mary shot him a look that only made him laugh more.  “Any other news?”

“A letter from Mama.”  She said softly and his laughter faded. 

“Do not read it.”  He took the envelope from her hands.  “I will not have you upset.”

“It could be important.”

“If there was anything important, Jane would have discussed it in her letter.  Correct?”

“I suppose.”  She looked up at him.  “Should we reconcile with her?”

“Ohhhh,” He sniffed and looked out the window.  “We can come to a bearable relationship, maybe.   If we are visiting somewhere and she happens to be in the room.”

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
⁶
  Mary smiled a little when he groaned.

“Am I to spend a lifetime hearing bible verses?”

“I always thought I would marry a minister.”  She said thoughtfully.  De Bourgh’s head turned back to hers and he regarded her seriously.  “I just thought if some man thought me worthy, it would be for my scholarship.  What man could better appreciate that than a minister?”

“Any man who does not look upon you as worthy is not only blind but a fool.”  He said positively and kissed her.  “Besides why would you want to be married to my brother?”

“Your brother?”  Mary laughed.  “Did I name him?”

“No.”  Smiling, he shrugged.  “Are you happy with the path your life has taken?  Marrying me?  Living in this miserable hovel?”  He laughed when she rolled her eyes.  “Even if it is not what you aspired to have?”

“I think that is why we both are happy, neither of us wanted, expected, or tried to achieve such an existence.”  Mary rested her head on his shoulder and he rested his cheek in her hair.  “I love surprises.”

Chapter 17

“P
lease forgive me for bursting in like this.  You have a guest, I should go.”

“Please stop apologizing!  Miss Martin is just helping me to sew some mourning clothes, and she certainly understands your desire to come and see your son.  She is fine on her own for a little while.”  Louisa touched Robinson’s hand and he looked up from the boy in his arms. 

     “Is my attire proper?  My valet went into the village and purchased the armband.  I am relying on him to keep me respectably turned out.”

“You look fine, Harris.”  She saw the black ribbons that had been added to his breeches, and undoubtedly a black band was on his hat.  “It is much more cumbersome for ladies.”

“Bingley said it will be three months for you.”  Louisa nodded.  “Thank you for allowing my visit.”

“If you had not come here directly I would have been very unhappy with you.  You were expected.”

“Am I still your brother?”

“You remain part of our little family.  Caroline’s death does not change that.” 

Their eyes met and he nodded his thanks before returning his attention to the baby.  “You are a most handsome lad.”  Robinson spoke softly.  “I will see to it that you are never neglected.  My only thought was returning to see you.”    Wallace reached up to pat his cheek, and cooed.  His father smiled a little when a happy smile lit up his son’s face. 

“ba-ba.”

“He spoke!”  Robinson cried and looked up at Louisa.

“Well, if you say so.”  She laughed and smiled at the baby.  “He babbles a bit.”

“It is a beginning.”  Lifting him up he watched Wallace’s feet press down on his legs and looked up to see another brilliant, toothless smile.  “How can you not care for this child?”  His voice cracked a little.  Louisa saw that his grip was failing and she quickly scooped Wallace up and moved him to her lap.  “Forgive me.  I am not acting as a man should.”

“Harris, that is my sister’s voice I just heard.  I know what she thought of Wallace and I vehemently disagreed.  Remember, I was there the day that you sent her to Derbyshire, and she was never one to keep her feelings hidden.  Please, you must talk about what happened.  Nothing you say can surprise me, and who better to understand Caroline but me?” 

“I cannot speak of her.  I doubt that you knew even this.  No.”  He reached for Wallace and his finger was snatched into a chubby fist, and brought to his son’s mouth.  “What are you doing?”

“He is teething and will gladly gnaw on you.”  Louisa rubbed his soft cheek and smiled at Robinson.  “Will you take him home?”

“One day.”  He nodded.  “I will not relinquish him, but first I must find the best governess.  One who will care for him, he will always have the very best.  He has that right now with you, but my son
will
come home.”  Looking back at Louisa his brow creased.  “Are you well?  You seem a little pale.  Here, I will take him . . .”